Cargo handling system repositionable side guide

ABSTRACT

A system for repositioning rails in a cargo bay of an aircraft. The system includes a base configured to be coupled to a structure in the cargo bay and having a first side and a second side. The system further includes a cradle for receiving a rail for restricting movement of a unit load device (ULD) in at least one direction, the cradle configured to position the rail between a first position and a second position in which the rail is closer to the second side of the base than when the rail is in the second position.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to systems for reconfiguring a cargobay of an aircraft by adjusting a position of a rail of a cargo systemin the cargo bay.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft may transport at least one of passengers or cargo. Manyaircraft thus have at least one cargo bay designed to receive cargo. Inmany aircraft applications, the size of cargo pallets (e.g., unit loaddevices (ULDs)) is a standardized set of sizes. For example, a firstaircraft may be designed to transport ULDs having a first dimension anda second aircraft may be designed to transport ULDs having a seconddimension that is different than the first dimension. An aircraftoperator who has both aircraft may desire to reconfigure the system onetype of aircraft to carry the ULDs from the second type. Alternatively,because of the different sizes of the ULDs, some aircraft are optimizedto carry one size. This may result in an inefficient use of space forother ULD sizes.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a system for repositioning rails in a cargo bay ofan aircraft. The system includes a base configured to be coupled to astructure in the cargo bay and having a first side and a second side.The system further includes a cradle for receiving a rail forrestricting movement of a unit load device (ULD) in at least onedirection, the cradle configured to position the rail between a firstposition and a second position in which the rail is closer to the secondside of the base than when the rail is in the second position.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the cradle includes a first wingextending away from the base and a second wing extending away from thebase and located closer to the second side of the base than the firstwing.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the first wing and the second wingeach define a fastener aperture such that the rail is configured to beretained in place relative to the cradle by extending a fastener throughthe fastener aperture of the first wing and the second wing and throughthe rail.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a plungerconfigured to be received by the base to resist movement of the plunger,wherein the base further defines a slot configured to receive theplunger and the cradle such that placement of the plunger in the slotresists movement of the cradle.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a support railcoupled to the base between the first side and the second side, whereinthe plunger and the cradle are configured to be coupled to the slot onboth sides of the support rail.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include at least onesupport arm coupled to the cradle and pivotably coupled to a pivot pointon the base, such that the cradle is configured to move between thefirst position and the second position by pivoting the at least onesupport arm about the pivot point on the base.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the at least one support armincludes two support arms each coupled to the pivot point on the basevia a pin.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the at least one support arm ispivotably coupled to the cradle to facilitate alignment of the cradlerelative to the base in both of the first position and the secondposition.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a locking mechanismconfigured to lock the cradle in at least one of the first position orthe second position.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a roller coupled tothe base and configured to facilitate movement of the ULD across thecargo bay.

Also disclosed is a system for repositioning rails in a cargo bay of anaircraft. The system includes a base configured to be coupled to astructure in the cargo bay and having a first side and a second side.The system further includes a roller coupled to the base and configuredto facilitate movement of a unit load device (ULD) across the cargo bay.The system further includes a cradle for receiving a rail forrestricting movement of the ULD in at least one direction, the cradleconfigured to position the rail between a first position and a secondposition in which the rail is closer to the second side of the base thanwhen the rail is in the second position.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a plungerconfigured to be received by the base to resist movement of the plunger,wherein the base further defines a slot configured to receive theplunger and the cradle such that placement of the plunger in the slotresists movement of the cradle.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a support railcoupled to the base between the first side and the second side, whereinthe plunger and the cradle are configured to be coupled to the slot onboth sides of the support rail.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include at least onesupport arm coupled to the cradle and pivotably coupled to a pivot pointon the base, such that the cradle is configured to move between thefirst position and the second position by pivoting the at least onesupport arm about the pivot point on the base.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the at least one support armincludes two support arms each coupled to the pivot point on the basevia a pin.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the at least one support arm ispivotably coupled to the cradle to facilitate alignment of the cradlerelative to the base in both of the first position and the secondposition.

Also disclosed is a system for repositioning rails in a cargo bay of anaircraft. The system includes a base configured to be coupled to astructure in the cargo bay and having a first side and a second side.The system further includes a cradle for receiving a rail forrestricting movement of a unit load device (ULD) in at least onedirection, the cradle having a first wing extending away from the baseand a second wing extending away from the base and located closer to thesecond side of the base than the first wing, and the cradle beingconfigured to move the rail between a first position and a secondposition in which the rail is closer to the second side of the base thanwhen the rail is in the second position.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a plungerconfigured to be received by the base to resist movement of the plunger,wherein the base further defines a slot configured to receive theplunger and the cradle such that placement of the plunger in the slotresists movement of the cradle.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include at least onesupport arm coupled to the cradle and pivotably coupled to a pivot pointon the base, such that the cradle is configured to move between thefirst position and the second position by pivoting the at least onesupport arm about the pivot point on the base.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the at least one support arm ispivotably coupled to the cradle to facilitate alignment of the cradlerelative to the base in both of the first position and the secondposition.

The forgoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated hereinotherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosures, however, maybest be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claimswhen considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein likenumerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an underside of an aircraft, in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates an aircraft cargo deck of the aircraft of FIG. 1, inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates a system for adjusting a location of a rail in theaircraft cargo deck of FIG. 2, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates the system of FIG. 3A in a reconfigured position, inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3C illustrates the system of FIG. 3A with a rail attached to acradle of the system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4A illustrates a system for adjusting a location of a rail for usein an aircraft cargo deck, in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 4B illustrates the system of FIG. 4A in a reconfigured position, inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way ofillustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodimentsmay be realized and that logical, chemical, and mechanical changes maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes ofillustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recitedin any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in anyorder and are not necessarily limited to the order presented.Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, andany reference to more than one component or step may include a singularembodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected orthe like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, fulland/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any referenceto without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contactor minimal contact.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aircraft cargo deck 29 may be used toimplement various embodiments of the present disclosure. A conveyancesurface 26 forms a deck of an aircraft, adjacent to a cargo deck loadingdoor 23. However, there are many other aircraft cargo deckconfigurations to which the embodiments of the disclosure can beimplemented. For example, various aircraft, particularly thoseconfigured primarily for the transportation of cargo without passengers,may lack an upper passenger deck and may utilize an additional cargodeck installed in place of the upper passenger deck. The presentdisclosure allows for reconfiguration of the cargo deck 29 via the useof systems 52, including a system 54, that provides for repositioning ofrails 58 (including a rail 118) in the cargo deck 29.

The cargo compartment includes a system 50 having a plurality of freelyrotating conveyance rollers 27 mounted in the cargo deck 29 to definethe conveyance plane. Cargo loaded onto the aircraft cargo deck 29 maybe moved manually throughout the cargo deck 29 upon the freely rotatingconveyance rollers 27. However, it may be desirable toelectro-mechanically propel the cargo with minimal or no manualassistance, as some cargo may be relatively heavy and difficult tomanipulate. In that regard, the H-shaped cargo surface may include anumber of power drive units (PDUs) 28 that provide a mechanism uponwhich cargo is propelled over the conveyance rollers 27. Each PDU 28 mayinclude one or more actuator that may move cargo relative to the cargodeck 29.

In the longitudinal direction, the conveyance surface 26 may include aleft track and a right track along which cargo is to be stowed inparallel columns during flight. In the transverse direction, the cargodeck 29 may also be separated into a tail (or “aft”) section 11 and aforward section 12. Thus, the left and right tracks may be divided intofour sections, including two forward sections 13, 15 and two aftsections 17, 19. In addition to the four sections, there may be anadditional path 21 between both tracks at the cargo deck loading door23. This additional path 21 may divide the cargo deck 29 between theforward section 12 and aft section 11. This path is used to move cargointo and out the aircraft, and also to transfer cargo between the leftand right storage tracks. In various embodiments, the cargo deck 29 maybe divided into any quantity of sections, from a single section to anyquantity that is physically possible. For example, the systems disclosedherein may operate in a cargo handling system having a singlelongitudinal lane.

In various embodiments, a piece of cargo (referred to as a “unit loaddevice” (ULD) 56)) may be moved relative to the cargo deck 29. VariousULDs may have differing dimensions such as ULD 56 and 61. In thatregard, the systems 52 may be used to adjust the rails 58 and 62 withinthe cargo deck 29 to facilitate movement and storage of ULDs of varioussizes. For example, a rail 62 may resist movement of the ULD 56 in atleast one direction and a rail 58 may resist movement of the ULD 61 inat least one direction. As mentioned above, the ULD 56 and the ULD 61may have different dimensions. The systems 52 may adjust the positioningof the rails 58 and 60 to facilitate storage of ULDs of various sizes onthe cargo deck 29.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, additional details of the system 54are shown. In particular, the system 54 may include a base 100. The base100 may be coupled to a floorboard or other structure in a cargo bay.The base 100 may include a first side 102 and a second side 104. Thesecond side 104 may be located closer to a wall of the cargo bay thanthe first side 102.

The system 54 may further include a cradle 106. The cradle 106 may bedesigned to receive a rail (e.g., the rail 118 of FIG. 3C). The cradle106 may include a first wing 108 extending outward from the base 100, asecond wing 110 likewise extending outward from the base 100, and a railsupport 109 extending from the first wing 108 to the second wing 110.The first wing 108 may define a first fastener aperture 112 and thesecond wing 110 may define a second fastener aperture 114.

For example and referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, a fastener 116 mayextend through the first fastener aperture 112, the second fasteneraperture 114, and the rail 118 in order to couple the rail 118 to thecradle 106.

The system 54 may further include support arms 120 which may include afirst support arm 122 and a second support arm 124. The support arms 120may be pivotably coupled to the base 100 at a pivot point 126 (e.g., viaa pivot mechanism). For example, a pin 128 may extend through thesupport arms 120 and the base 100 in order to pivotably couple thesupport arms 120 to the base 100. The support arms 120 may likewise bepivotally coupled to the cradle 106 (e.g., via a pivot mechanism, forexample, via pins 130).

In order to adjust the position of the rail 118 relative to the base 100(and, thus, the cargo bay), the support arms 120 may pivot about thepivot point 126, thus moving the cradle 106 (and the rail 118) between afirst position (shown in FIG. 3B) and a second position in which thecradle 106 is closer to the second side 104 than in the first position(as shown in FIG. 3A). Due to the pivotable coupling of the support arms120 to the cradle 106 (i.e., via the pivot mechanism), the cradle 106(and thus the rail 118) may remain in an upright (or any configured)position during the transition between the first position and the secondposition (as shown in FIG. 3C), and in response to the cradle 106 beingin the first position and the second position.

The system 54 may further include a lock, or locking mechanism, 132. Thelock 132 may include any locking mechanism such as a pin and socket, amovable lever (as shown), or the like. As shown, the lock 132 includes amovable lever coupled to at least one of the support arms 120. Themovable lever may slide underneath the base 100 in response to thesystem 54 being in the desired position (e.g., first position or secondposition) in order to resist movement of the cradle 106 relative to thebase 100.

In various embodiments, the system 54 may further include rollers 134(e.g., conveyance rollers) coupled to the base. In particular, thesystem 54 includes a first roller 136 and a second roller 138. Invarious embodiments, the cradle 106 may be positioned on one side (e.g.,towards the first side 102) of the second roller 138 in response to thesystem 54 being in the second position, and on the other side (e.g.,towards the second side 104) of the second roller 138 in response to thesystem 54 being in the first position.

Turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, another system 254 may function in a similarmanner as the system 54 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. In particular, thesystem 254 may include a base 200 that has a first side 202 and a secondside 204. The base 200 may be designed to be coupled to a floor panel orother structure in a cargo bay.

The system 254 may further include a cradle 206 having similar featuresas the cradle 106 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. In particular, the cradle 206includes a first wing 208, a second wing 210, and the rail support 209connecting the first wing 208 to the second wing 210. A rail may bedesigned to be coupled to the cradle 206.

The base 200 may include a first support rail 221 located at or near thesecond side 204 along with a second support rail 222 located between thefirst side 202 and the first support rail 221.

The system 254 may further include a plunger 212 and a plunger stop 214.The plunger 212 and the plunger stop 214 are designed to be received bya slot 216 defined by the base. The base 200 may further define firstplunger apertures 218 and second plunger apertures 220 located closer tothe second side 204 than the first plunger apertures 218. The plunger212 and the plunger stop 214 are designed to be received by at least oneof the slot 216, the first plunger apertures 218, or the second plungerapertures 220. For example, the plunger 212 and the plunger stop 214 mayeach be designed to be received by one of the first plunger apertures218 or by one of the second plunger apertures 220. For example, a nutmay be applied to a portion of the plunger 212 after the plunger 212 isinserted into one of the plunger apertures 218, 220. As another example,the plunger 212 may press-fit into one or both of the plunger apertures218, 220.

The cradle 206 is designed to be located in a first position (as shownin FIG. 4B) and a second position (as shown in FIG. 4A). The cradle 206is designed to be closer to the second side 204 in response to thecradle 206 being in the second position.

In order to couple the cradle 206 in the first position, the cradle 206may be positioned adjacent to the second support rail 222. The plunger212 and the plunger stop 214 may be received by the first plungerapertures 218. In that regard, the cradle 206 (and thus any rail) may berestricted from movement along the base 200 by being sandwiched betweenthe plunger 212 and the second support rail 222.

In order to couple the cradle 206 in the second position, the cradle 206may be positioned adjacent to the first support rail 221. The plunger212 and the plunger stop 214 may be received by the second plungerapertures 220. In that regard, the cradle 206 may be restricted frommovement along the base 200 by being sandwiched between the plunger 212and the first support rail 221.

The system 254 may further include a first roller 224 and a secondroller 226. In various embodiments, the cradle 206 may be located on afirst side (e.g., closer to the first side 202) of the second supportrail 222 and the second roller 226 in response to the cradle 206 beingin the first position. In various embodiments, the cradle may be locatedon a second side (e.g., closer to the second side 204) of the secondsupport rail 222 and the second roller 226 in response to the cradle 206being in the second position.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is usedin the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denotedifferent parts but not necessarily to denote the same or differentmaterials.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “anexample embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed. After reading the description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”,“comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for repositioning rails in a cargo bayof an aircraft, the system comprising: a base configured to be coupledto a structure in the cargo bay and having a first side and a secondside; and a cradle for receiving a rail for restricting movement of aunit load device (ULD) in at least one direction, the cradle configuredto position the rail between a first position and a second position inwhich the rail is closer to the second side of the base than when therail is in the second position.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thecradle includes a first wing extending away from the base and a secondwing extending away from the base and located closer to the second sideof the base than the first wing.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thefirst wing and the second wing each define a fastener aperture such thatthe rail is configured to be retained in place relative to the cradle byextending a fastener through the fastener aperture of the first wing andthe second wing and through the rail.
 4. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a plunger configured to be received by the base to resistmovement of the plunger, wherein the base further defines a slotconfigured to receive the plunger and the cradle such that placement ofthe plunger in the slot resists movement of the cradle.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, further comprising a support rail coupled to the base betweenthe first side and the second side, wherein the plunger and the cradleare configured to be coupled to the slot on both sides of the supportrail.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one supportarm coupled to the cradle and pivotably coupled to a pivot point on thebase, such that the cradle is configured to move between the firstposition and the second position by pivoting the at least one supportarm about the pivot point on the base.
 7. The system of claim 6, whereinthe at least one support arm includes two support arms each coupled tothe pivot point on the base via a pin.
 8. The system of claim 6, whereinthe at least one support arm is pivotably coupled to the cradle tofacilitate alignment of the cradle relative to the base in both of thefirst position and the second position.
 9. The system of claim 1,further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the cradle inat least one of the first position or the second position.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a roller coupled to the base andconfigured to facilitate movement of the ULD across the cargo bay.
 11. Asystem for repositioning rails in a cargo bay of an aircraft, the systemcomprising: a base configured to be coupled to a structure in the cargobay and having a first side and a second side; a roller coupled to thebase and configured to facilitate movement of a unit load device (ULD)across the cargo bay; and a cradle for receiving a rail for restrictingmovement of the ULD in at least one direction, the cradle configured toposition the rail between a first position and a second position inwhich the rail is closer to the second side of the base than when therail is in the second position.
 12. The system of claim 11, furthercomprising a plunger configured to be received by the base to resistmovement of the plunger, wherein the base further defines a slotconfigured to receive the plunger and the cradle such that placement ofthe plunger in the slot resists movement of the cradle.
 13. The systemof claim 12, further comprising a support rail coupled to the basebetween the first side and the second side, wherein the plunger and thecradle are configured to be coupled to the slot on both sides of thesupport rail.
 14. The system of claim 11, further comprising at leastone support arm coupled to the cradle and pivotably coupled to a pivotpoint on the base, such that the cradle is configured to move betweenthe first position and the second position by pivoting the at least onesupport arm about the pivot point on the base.
 15. The system of claim14, wherein the at least one support arm includes two support arms eachcoupled to the pivot point on the base via a pin.
 16. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the at least one support arm is pivotably coupled tothe cradle to facilitate alignment of the cradle relative to the base inboth of the first position and the second position.
 17. A system forrepositioning rails in a cargo bay of an aircraft, the systemcomprising: a base configured to be coupled to a structure in the cargobay and having a first side and a second side; and a cradle forreceiving a rail for restricting movement of a unit load device (ULD) inat least one direction, the cradle having a first wing extending awayfrom the base and a second wing extending away from the base and locatedcloser to the second side of the base than the first wing, and thecradle being configured to move the rail between a first position and asecond position in which the rail is closer to the second side of thebase than when the rail is in the second position.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, further comprising a plunger configured to be received by thebase to resist movement of the plunger, wherein the base further definesa slot configured to receive the plunger and the cradle such thatplacement of the plunger in the slot resists movement of the cradle. 19.The system of claim 17, further comprising at least one support armcoupled to the cradle and pivotably coupled to a pivot point on thebase, such that the cradle is configured to move between the firstposition and the second position by pivoting the at least one supportarm about the pivot point on the base.
 20. The system of claim 19,wherein the at least one support arm is pivotably coupled to the cradleto facilitate alignment of the cradle relative to the base in both ofthe first position and the second position.